How to Keep Your Job Search Under the Radar Well, this is awkward. You’ve decided to look for a new job, but you don’t want your current employer to know you’re searching. What can you do? First of all, let go of any guilt. No matter how well you’ve been treated by your boss (or how poorly, for that matter), sometimes you just need to move on. You might be burned out in your job, or you could be hoping to practice more in your specialty, or perhaps you’re seeking a greater challenge than your employer can offer you. Whatever your reason(s) for leaving, it’s a normal part of being an employee. As for your patients, students, or colleagues—of course you’re torn about leaving them. But if you’ve made your decision, then the success of your transition might depend on putting your feelings aside.
Why such a secret? Consideration for others is one reason physicians choose to keep a job search confidential, at least in the early stages. It can be very disruptive to a department or practice to know someone is leaving but not know when. Likewise, although patients appreciate ample notice for switching doctors, a months-long goodbye can prove unsettling.
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Speaking of patients, there’s also a business reason for not broadcasting your departure too far in advance. People seeking a new physician might be less likely to choose you if they know you will be leaving soon. While it might seem only fair for prospective patients to have that information, what if you don’t follow through with your plan or can’t find a suitable new job? If you end up staying, you don’t want to be needlessly scrambling to refill your patient schedule. One more reason to keep a low profile while you’re job searching: If your boss knew you had been looking but couldn’t find what you wanted, you could be eating a major piece of humble pie. You could also lose leverage when negotiating changes to your current job. It’s hard for employers to invest resources in employees they consider a flight risk.
Preparing to conduct a low-profile search If your plan is to stay below the radar with your search, you’re living in the right time. Today’s technology makes it more possible than ever to have private conversations and conduct research without being obvious about it. To take advantage of these opportunities, you’ll need to make some initial decisions about the geographic
